Mutharika blasts calls for federalism
One Malawi, one nation. President Peter Mutharika burst into the time-honoured catchphrase to calm re-emerging pressure for a federal government or the North to become a standalone country amid feelings that the region is being sidelined in terms of development and public appointments.
Mutharika last evoked the tune in Mzimba on May 13 when former vice-president Khumbo Kachali endorsed him to win the May 20 Elections, but he was at it again following People’s Party (PP) deputy president Harry Mkandawire’s statement in Parliament calling for federalism and accusing the President of sidelining the North and Centre.
Speaking on Saturday, Mutharika waded off calls for equal distribution of development as well as public positions, the reason PP provincial governor Christopher Mzomera Ngwira cites for his calls for the region to secede.
The President told a rally at Mzuzu Upper Stadium that he could only name 18 ministers based on merit to join him in a Cabinet which contains four faces from the North even if the region did not vote him into power in May.
He urged political and religious leaders to give dialogue and reconciliation a chance, instead of dividing the country.
“Let me reiterate my belief in one nation, one Malawi. Some people want to break the country,” said the President.
Mutharika summoned his critics to round-table discussions, saying his door is always open to those with ideas that will help develop the country.
In an interview, Ngwira hit back at the President’s remarks, saying:
“We are not frustrated people fighting the President. We are only worried with the suffering of the North. As a region, we have long been denied our destiny, development and honour. We need a chance to forge our own future.”
At the same rally Mutharika dodged a request by Crown Prince M’mbelwa V to abolish the quota system for selecting students to public universities.
But the President assured speedy construction of Mombera University, saying it should be ready in two or three years’ time.
I strongly agee with the president’s remarks.No need to divide Malawi,those advocating for federalism are just frustrated.Big up your HE
Who said federalism is dividing the country? Thats misleading. This is the best way to decentralise. Sikuti upulezident utha. Osaopa ayi.
Malawi can not sustain federal system. all this is just political havock, they are just trying to see if APC can append to it. Am a northerner but i dont think the Region can stand on its own. Government needs a lot of confiscated parameters, (funds, structures etc).
check (www.chindikanikaseka.blogspot.com/2014/02/malawi-need-vision-beyond-2020.html)
In line with the Du chisiza, in his book “what Africa lies ahead” written before 1958, where he wrote that most Africans are fighting for independency but after attaining it they will face issues of poverty, lack of funds to run the country, tribal wars and fighting for presidency just to mention a few.
let Malawi be Malawi. we cant be divided just because of few individuals who want to be leaders and be enriching themselves. better be as we are and fight for the corruption and nepotism
Federal government is practised in countries which are big for one president to govern not like kamalawi it’s too small for that.Those politician who are pushing for federal they failures they want to get power through regions…
Mr Zwanya donot mislead people. Federal govt is th only vehicle for change. Each state wll develop its own state/province. 50Years was to the drain to northern region. You can point out just few developments: high court;Mzuzu central hospital; Karonga-Chitipa road; reserve bank in Mzuzu; grain cilos; and a few others ONLY. No modern airport,poor roadnetworks,etc.
1. Presidents & his followers abuse the powers instead of defending the costitution>>>>> cashgate, jetgate! They just enrich themselves.
2. Federal system of govt can eradicate these. Donot fear of the unknown. Let us build a better MALAWI!!!!!!!
Though I was young, but I felt the effects of regionalism from the late 1980’s to earlyin 90’s.A northern pupil selected for secondary education in the central or sothern region was sent back home.Could not attend school.I had to cheat that I was from Salima for me to get selected to William Murray Secondary School at Nkhoma in Lilongwe in October 1992 ,from Chintheche in Nkhata Bay.I don’t want to hear this happening again in Malawi.It’s not good.With time northern region will develop.Development is a process, it takes time.We had no university in the north, but today we have two.Things are changing.Give the president enough time.HASTE IS, BUT NOT SPEED.
Formula for FEDERALISM GOVERNANCE
ONE LEADER >>> by the way the Nation and disbanding of resources is under still under one President and one Finance Minister!!!! The President or Ruling Party still appoints Regional Ministers/governors who happen to be his eyes and ears!!!! The rest the Nation can Impliment according to development strategies as demanded by Voters in respective regions through their elected MPs!!!!!
The PMFD was the first party to advocate for FEDERALISM because of the injustices the Northerners are suffering since the independent of Malawi. The hatred that the Southerners have shown towards Northerners is the reason we seek FEDERALISM or total independent of the REPUBLIC OF NYIKA. The PMFD its president is Eddy Banda who is in the USA. During that time Ben Mukandaweri was in the UK. It was Mr. Aston Nyondo who recruited Ben Mukandaweri into the PMFD. Ben Mukandaweri was the spokesperson of the PMFD. Eddy Banda drafted the constitution of the PMFD based on the USA federalism model. Ben Mukandaweri wanted a constitution that mirrors the UK government because that is the system he knows. Please Nyasatimes put the record straight. It was the PMFD that was making a lot of noise on Nyasatimes to promote FEDERALISM that will have rotational presidency among our three provinces. The PMFD does not promote the domination of presidency by one region or tribe. The PMFD is glad that FEDERALISM is gaining momentum in the North and Central region of Malawi. The DPP rigged the votes and have no legitimacy to govern Malawi. I call upon all FEDERALSM supporters to intensify the fight until Malawi is free from all “ISMS” that are being advocated by the Mulhako dominated government. A leader is somebody who listens to his people and does the right thing that will benefit his country. Peter Mutharika is not a leader but an opportunist that unleash his tribe on others for personal enrichment. Unitary system has failed Malawi because it has produced one dictator after another. Is this what Malawians wants. Every region must have a say of how its province need to be governed to correct the injustices that are going on. Peter Mutharika and his tribe people have been planning genocide against the Northerners. These ideas are being promoted by Patricia Kaliati and Mzwati Nkolokosa. They say they want to do the Rwanda style. We must stand firm and fight to the last man. Republic of Nyika will only be part of Malawi under FEDERALISM and as for now is an illegal occupied country by the Mulhako dominated government. This fight must carry on until we are free people. Are you happy to be the slaves of Mulhako? NO!!!!! You saw how brutal the Mutharika brothers can be. They slaughtered a lot of Northerners. They petrol bomb and assassinate dissenting voices to maintain the status quo. Alluta continuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!v
Inu olememekezeka a Pulezidenti athu musatero . Mosapeneka inu simufuna Federal Government .Koma lingalirani zimene anapanga Kamuzu amene inu ndi chipani chanu mumati anali wankhanza . Kamuzu atawona kuti kukumveka kuti anthu akufuna multiparty anavomera kuti kukhale Referendum . Chifukwa chakuvomera kwa Kamuzu ndi chifukwa chake inu lero muli pabwino . Inde ndi chifukwa lero muli a Pulezidenti . Bvomerani inunso Federal Government kuti ena amene mukuwapondereza lero adzakhale pabwino .